The thrill of discovery. It’s one of the things that inspires our reviewers each day. Maybe it’s a wine from an under-the-radar producer that overachieves its price. Or a wine from an estate that performed particularly well in a challenging year. Perhaps it’s a wine that offers outstanding quality and is relatively easy to find. These were among the considerations our editorial team weighed as we composed our inaugural Top 100 Wines of the Year list. This carefully curated selection represents the pinnacle of quality, value and excitement in the world of wine as determined by our team of expert critics, more than simply a list of our highest-scoring wines.

The Vinous Top 100 aims to capture the diversity and dynamism of today's wine world. Each year, Vinous publishes more than 35,000 reviews. Our critics taste many more wines that don’t make it into our reports. The editorial team engaged in extensive discussions to narrow down this list of 100 exceptional bottles. Our selections span the globe, from established regions to emerging appellations, and include both iconic producers and exciting newcomers. We have highlighted many wines that deliver remarkable quality with an added focus on relative value and availability. Where some regions may appear over-weighted, that is simply the reflection of exceptional vintages in those places.

We hope the inaugural Vinous Top 100 will serve as both a celebration of the year's finest wines and a valuable resource for wine enthusiasts seeking their next great bottle. Let it inspire you to explore new regions, producers and styles as you continue your own wine journey.